Fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat

ABSTRACT

A fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat has a domed inflatable shroud, with a hollow air chamber formed for air inflation. A non-return inflation inlet is connected with the chamber. A waterproof bottom is mated at the bottom of the shroud, and a user space is defined between the shroud and bottom. An access hole with removable cover allows for access. A viewing window is arranged at the head end of the shroud in a waterproofing state. A puffing port protruded into the inner side of the head end of the shroud is connected with the chamber, helping the users in air inflation. A cold proofing lining is attached onto the inner surface of the shroud and bottom. Bulges for stretching out hands are set externally onto two lateral portions of the shroud, and configured into an elongated flexible waterproofing sleeve, enabling the users to stretch their hands out.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT Not applicable. REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a life boat, and more particularly to an innovative one which is designed into a fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable structure.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

With the technological development in modern society, various modes of transportation are widely applied by the people in various occasions and activities in land, sea and air. However, the inherent physical structure of the human beings make it difficult to survive for a longer time in water, especially in case of an accident in the open sea. So, a common concern is raised to make breakthrough progress in developing ideal rescue tools for the benefit of the sufferers.

There are currently available with many kinds of rescue products such as: inflatable boats, rubber boats, life buoys, life jackets and air bags as well as floating plates. Yet, ships cannot carry sufficient larger life boats to meet the demands of all passengers, and such boats are released very slowly from the ships or even disengaged or loosened in this process. Moreover, the inflatable boats and rubber boats have such shortcomings as: absence of paddles or vulnerability to falling off, making it difficult to control the floating direction. Regardless of the advantages of smaller ones including timeliness and high efficiency of rescue, the lack of durability causes the sufferers to wait for a longer time in the water, leading to possible death due to temperature drop.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.

Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate experimentation and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the unique design of the present invention wherein the fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat mainly comprises: an inflatable shroud, a non-return inflation inlet, a waterproof bottom, an access hole with removable cover, a viewing window, a puffing port and cold proofing lining as well as bulges for stretching out hands, the inflatable boat of the present invention for a single person can be retracted for space-saving, and some articles and food can be stored into the boat for maximizing the waiting time of the sufferers for rescue. Furthermore, with the configuration of the bulges for stretching out hands, the users could manually control the motion or rotation of the inflatable boat in tune with ambient conditions. Hence, the fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat of the present invention has advantages such as smaller space, timeliness and high efficiency of rescue as well as extended survival time with better applicability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a second sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the present invention wherein the removable cover is fitted with a ventilating and rainwater collecting portion.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the present invention provided with an air generator.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the operating status of the fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 depict preferred embodiments of a fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat of the present invention, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective for patent claims. Said fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat includes a domed inflatable shroud 10, with its cross section protruded into a domed pattern, and extended longitudinally to define a head end 11, a tail end 12 and two lateral portions 13. The inflatable shroud 10 is externally and internally coated by waterproof adhesive film. A sign for help 14 (reflective tape attached with SOS) is set externally onto the inflatable shroud 10, and a hollow air chamber 15 is formed internally for air inflation.

At least a hook 16 is connected to at least one part of the inflatable shroud 10. In this preferred embodiment, the hook 16 is connected to tail end 12 and head end 11 of the inflatable shroud 10. Said hook 16 is mainly used for hooking up the sufferers, so the coupling of the hooks could help lift the targets and make the inflatable boats gather together for counting the sufferers.

A non-return inflation inlet 17 is set at one position of the inflatable shroud 10 for air inflation. The non-return inflation inlet 17 is connected with the hollow air chamber 15, allowing to prevent leakage of charged air.

A waterproof bottom 20 is mated at the bottom of the inflatable shroud 10. The perimeter of the waterproof bottom 20 is incorporated with the perimeter of the head end 11, tail end 12 and lateral portions 13 of the inflatable shroud 10 (e.g.: hot pressing) into a waterproofing state. Then a user space 21 capable of accommodating a single person is defined between the inflatable shroud 10 and waterproof bottom 20. The waterproof bottom 20 is fabricated into a single or multiple layers.

An access hole 30 with removable cover 31 is set at a domed area of the inflatable shroud 10, with an accessible aperture for an adult. The removable cover 31 is assembled onto the access hole 30, enabling users to open or close the access hole 30. In this preferred embodiment, said removable cover 31 is generally lifted open, and fastened by means of snapping, attaching and zipper fastening.

A viewing window 40 is arranged at the head end 11 of the inflatable shroud 10 in a waterproofing state. Said viewing window 40 is made of transparent materials (e.g.: films) for viewing by the users.

A puffing port 50 is protruded into the inner side of the head end 11 of the inflatable shroud 10. The puffing port 50 is connected with the hollow air chamber 15, helping the users in air inflation.

A cold proofing lining 60 is attached onto inner surface of the inflatable shroud 10 and waterproof bottom 20. The cold proofing lining 60 is made of insulating fabrics such as blankets.

Two bulges for stretching out hands 70 are set externally onto two lateral portions 13 of the inflatable shroud 10. The bulges for stretching out hands 70 are designed into an elongated flexible waterproofing sleeve, enabling the users to stretch their hands out of the inflatable shroud 70.

Of which, the removable cover 31 is fitted with a ventilating and rainwater collecting portion 32, allowing external air to flow into the user space 21 and collect rainwater, as shown in FIG. 4. A controlling portion 33 is set at bottom of the ventilating rainwater collecting portion 32, allowing the users to control the opening or closing state or level. In this preferred embodiment, the removable cover 31 is made of foamed or plastic materials. The ventilating and rainwater collecting portion 32 includes several pores 321 passing vertically through the removable cover 31, and a rotating plate 322 set at bottom of the removable cover 31. With different rotation angles of the rotating plate 322, it is possible to control if rainwater collected in the pores 321 can drip into user space 21, or control the degree of dripping.

Referring to FIG. 5, an air generator 80 is assembled onto the inflatable shroud 10. The air outlet 81 of the air generator 80 is connected with the non-return inflation inlet 17. The air generator 80 is provided with a trigger 82, permitting to control and start the air generator 80 for charging the hollow air chamber 15 of the inflatable shroud 10.

Of which, the inflatable shroud 10 and waterproof bottom 20 are also coated with a fish repellent, which represents an existing art used in many embodiments. In the present invention, it can be applied to the inflatable boats for protecting the passengers against fish.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hollow air chamber 15 of the inflatable shroud 10 has a plurality of spacers 18, such that the hollow air chamber 15 is segregated into several spaces. In the event of partial damage or leakage of the hollow air chamber 15, this could prevent complete loss of buoyancy of entire hollow air chamber 15. Yet, the non-return inflation inlet 17 must be configured into an inlet manifold among which a check valve is set.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of auxiliary storing buoys 90 is configured at inner side of the connection between the lateral portions 13 of the inflatable shroud 10 and waterproof bottom 20. The auxiliary storing buoy 90 is made of buoyant materials and designed into a hollow cylinder. A cover plate 91 is set at one side of the auxiliary storing buoy 90 facing the user space 21. Said cover plate 91 can be opened or closed to provide the users with articles or food, and also used as an auxiliary buoyant member.

Based on above-specified structural configuration, the present invention is operated as follows:

The fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat of the present invention can be retracted and stored on ships or hung by a hook 16 in idle state. In the event of marine disaster or outbreak of severe flood, the hollow air chamber 15 of the inflatable shroud 10 is charged with air through the non-return inflation inlet 17. After that, the user may open the removable cover 31 and enter into the user space 21 from the access hole 30, then close the removable cover 31. Next, the users may put their hands into the bulges for stretching out hands 70, so as to control and hold physical balance before falling into water. After the inflatable boat falls into water, the dome design of the inflatable shroud 10 permits the inflatable boat to automatically turn over into a domed shape (similar to a turtle shell), and keep a floating state over the water level. In such case, the users could watch the situations on or below the water level through the viewing window 40, or put their hands into the bulges for stretching out hands 70 to paddle forward and control the motion or rotation of the inflatable boat. As the bulges for stretching out hands 70 can swing in the floating process, the sufferers may push the suspended matters around the inflatable boat (e.g.: rocks at the coast). In addition, the sufferers could maintain their physical temperature via the design of the cold proofing lining 60, and breathe air kept in the user space 21 for a certain period of time, or take a breath by opening the removable cover 31 or by guiding oxygen from the ventilating and rainwater collecting portion 32. 

1. A fully shrouded self-rescue inflatable boat, comprising: a domed inflatable shroud, with its cross section protruded into a domed pattern, and extended longitudinally to define a head end, a tail end and two lateral portions; the inflatable shroud is externally and internally coated by waterproof adhesive film; a sign for help is set externally onto the inflatable shroud, and a hollow air chamber formed internally for air inflation; at least a hook, connected to at least one part of the inflatable shroud; a non-return inflation inlet, set at one position of the inflatable shroud for air inflation; the non-return inflation inlet is connected with the hollow air chamber, allowing to prevent leakage of charged air; a waterproof bottom, mated at the bottom of the inflatable shroud; the perimeter of the waterproof bottom is incorporated with the perimeter of the head end, tail end and lateral portions of the inflatable shroud into a waterproofing state; then a user space capable of accommodating a single person is defined between the inflatable shroud and waterproof bottom; an access hole with removable cover, set at a domed area of the inflatable shroud, with an accessible aperture for an adult; the removable cover is assembled onto the access hole, enabling users to open or close the access hole; a viewing window, arranged at the head end of the inflatable shroud in a waterproofing state; said viewing window is made of transparent materials for viewing by the users; a puffing port, protruded into the inner side of the head end of the inflatable shroud; the puffing port is connected with the hollow air chamber, helping the users in air inflation; a cold proofing lining, attached onto inner surface of the inflatable shroud and waterproof bottom; the cold proofing lining is made of insulating fabrics; two bulges for stretching out hands, set externally onto two lateral portions of the inflatable shroud; the bulges for stretching out hands are designed into an elongated flexible waterproofing sleeve, enabling the users to stretch their hands out of the inflatable shroud.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said removable cover is fitted with a ventilating and rainwater collecting portion, allowing external air to flow into the user space and collect rainwater; and a controlling portion is set at bottom of the ventilating and rainwater collecting portion, allowing the users to control the opening or closing state or level.
 3. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein an air generator is assembled onto the inflatable shroud; the air outlet of the air generator is connected with the non-return inflation inlet; the air generator is provided with a trigger, permitting to control and start the air generator for charging the hollow air chamber of the inflatable shroud.
 4. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the inflatable shroud and waterproof bottom are coated with a fish repellent.
 5. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein the hollow air chamber of the inflatable shroud includes a plurality of spacers, such that the hollow air chamber is segregated into several spaces.
 6. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of auxiliary storing buoys is configured at inner side of the connection between the lateral portions of the inflatable shroud and waterproof bottom; the auxiliary storing buoy is made of buoyant materials and designed into a hollow cylinder, a cover plate is set at one side of the auxiliary storing buoy facing the user space; said cover plate can be opened or closed flexibly. 